Emily’s story

“I would 100% recommend the programme. It’s a two way street & it’s totally beneficial for both parties”: Emily shares her experiences as one of our professional mentors.

Date

2020-2021

Location

UK and Nigeria

Emily Quinn, a Senior Product Manager in the UK, joined our Mentoring Women in Business programme in November 2020. In just five months, she has developed a strong connection with her mentee, Irene Ubani, based in Nigeria, and set meaningful goals for their journey together. 

Why Mentor? 

Emily sought to expand her skills and help others. She saw mentoring as a way to offer support she wished she had earlier in her career: “I struggled with confidence for a long time. Mentoring gives you someone to provide feedback and guidance, which is really helpful in building confidence.” 

First impressions 

Emily was matched with Irene, a media entrepreneur in Lagos. Their shared industry background helped them quickly build a connection. Emily recalls, “The relationship was great from the beginning. Irene has been very open and ready to share everything she is doing.”  

Supported to flourish 

Over the past five months, Emily has helped Irene develop goals and workplans to elevate her business. The Foundation’s mentoring team provided additional support, helping them transition from initial meetings to goal-oriented sessions. Irene appreciates Emily’s dedication: “Emily ensures I have monthly targets and follows up on my progress. She’s always available for conversations beyond our scheduled sessions.” Emily also values the programme’s monthly webinars, which offer fresh insights to share with Irene.  

Emily Quinn works with her mentee in a video call.

Developing skills 

Emily has been a source of encouragement for Irene, assisting with her new business website and online media network. The mentorship has also expanded Emily’s understanding of different business contexts: “I’m learning more about Nigeria and the media business there. It’s helping me as we expand into new areas at my job.” 

Emily finds the experience mutually enriching: “Irene’s enthusiasm and energy are inspiring. I feel I’ve gained as much from her as she has from me.” 

Thinking of mentoring? 

Reflecting on her experience, Emily says, “The programme is super convenient, with reasonable expectations. I would 100% recommend it. It’s beneficial for both parties, providing a fantastic opportunity to support and learn from each other.” 

Emily Quinn works with her mentee in a video call.

Become a mentor and be a business hero

Becoming a mentor offers business professionals the chance to play a pivotal role in an entrepreneur’s business growth at a critical stage of her business.

Find out more!
Mentor and Mentee pair